What Do You Expect If Your Cruise Is Diverted?

[Leo Jay]

With all the hullabaloo from people being upset with CCL for how they handled recent diversions, I started to think about what I would and wouldn't expect if my cruise were diverted and the cruise was unexpectedly lengthened. I'm curious to find out what other people expect.

 

Here's my list of what I would and wouldn't expect:

 

Being told where to turn for announcement (TVs/Capers/Purser's Desk, PA system, etc.): YES

Ongoing course updates available from the TVs: YES

Being told when to expect the next announced update: YES

Buffet, room service and dining room service as usual: YES

Availability of Laundry, Casino, Shops as usual: YES

Scheduling of daytime onboard activities for any additional days at sea: PROBABLY

Scheduling of additional production shows, comedians for additional days as sea: PROBABLY

Reimbursement for any cancelled CCL excursions: YES

Reimbursement for any non-CCL activities planned in port: NO

Having the $10 pp/pd gratuity waived for the additional days at sea: NO

Spontaneous updates from the Captain as s/he goes about his/her job: NO

Spontaneous updates from the CD as s/he goes about his/her job: NO

Special discounts in the shipboard stores: NO

Free cocktail hour: NO

X minutes worth of free phone calls to re-schedule flights: NO

X minutes worth of free email: NO

Discount off my current cruise: NO

Discount off a future cruise: NO

I'm probably easier than most people, but all I really expect is sea days as usual, and to be told what's happening. Oh and maybe the willingness of the Captain to throw disruptive mutineers into the brig. Or the ocean.

 

Only the 'YESes' would upset me if they weren't fulfilled; and the MAYBEs might irritate me a little. Tips for the additional days I can't imagine not volunteering, even if they weren't automatically applied. Everything else falls into "would be nice, I guess, but I wouldn't expect it or be upset with the cruiseline if they didn't."

 

What would YOU expect? (in other words, anything you'd be upset at not getting). Add any categories I might have forgotten.

[grest]

I expect that the cruise line will do everything it can to keep its passengers safe. Other than that, I'm good...

[Noire]

I would expect updates as information is available but that's it. It's just reassuring to hear, "Everything is okay folks. The hurricane is located ..... but we do not expect to encounter any rough seas. etc." I have cruised once during a hurricane. We couldn't go to the Cayman Islands and had to go to Costa Maya instead. People were disappointed but no one was angry. They came on the PA system and kept us updated frequently. Everyone was given a $25 credit.

 

I think it's best not to expect anything - especially monetary or anything extra in the way of services (spa or bar coupons, free or otherwise). Then you won't be disappointed.

[Leo Jay]

I expect that the cruise line will do everything it can to keep its passengers safe. Other than that, I'm good...

Well, you're even easier than I am! I guess you'd consider me a mutineer. Sorry, gotta have my bed and shower. And FOOD!

:D

[big_duck]

Totally agree except:

 

Being told when to expect the next announced update: YES

 

Maybe - it is difficult to schedule updates if a situation is fluid.

 

Scheduling of additional production shows, comedians for additional days as sea: PROBABLY

 

Off ship acts (comedians) are difficult to reschedule because they often fly from port to port jumping from one ship to another.

[pungo3]

As long as I continue to receive my expected good service, food and entertainment, and the ship is kept out of harm's way, I'm happy. I have been on cruises before that have diverted because of storms and I didn't mind one bit. I cruise for the ship, not the ports. If there is somewhere I really want to visit, I'll fly there. For many ports, I don't bother to get off the ship.

[DGP1111]

There are two things that I'd not only expect, but would demand on any sailing:

1) Passenger safety

2) Quality communication of any exteme changes to the initial plan(s).

[dolfinmusic]

I agree with all your answers!

 

We sailed on RCI's Explorer last year and Hurricane Noel joined us. We had NO clue he was even around until the Captain started making announcements about it! Couldn't even find anything on regular tv about it! We missed their private island - had a sea day instead and went to St. Marteen instead of The Dominican Republic. The Captain was great with keeping us updated. We also could not dock into Bayonne until about 3pm on the day we arrived home. They had activites and I think even shows. They even did a paper for us - day 9.5! We did have free internet but no obc or anything else. We also did have a nice bumpy ride and a lot of crappy weather while sailing. I still had a GREAT time! Now I know that was RCI but I still plan on having a great time on the Miracle with or without a hurricane! :)

[Annmarie58]

I believe if the cruise was extended that some sort of compensation for phone use or email to alert airlines and re-schedule flights would be a nice touch.

I can understand how that would upset a lot of people that had flights and jobs and children to return to.

So I guess I am saying a reasonable amount of time given to make arrangements or say 2 free phone calls for xx amount of time,or on board credit for the cost of 2 phone calls

[MrPete]

I certainly wouldn't become one of the sheeple.

 

I expect my accomodations, food, entertainment, full service, friendly people to meet, and a steady ride.

 

What happens at the other side of the gangway is irrelevant, and is certainly above and beyond my fare.

[The_Geek]

The Gratuity thing can be iffy, if it was an extra 2 days for me and my fiance that would not be a problem.

 

What about a Large family who might not have the ability to pay and extra $100+ dollars. I read a lot on here where people are saving up to cruise and have pretty strict budgets.

 

Maybe that is the one thing Carnival should cover.

[tha sista]

I expect that the cruise line will do everything it can to keep its passengers safe. Other than that, I'm good...

ditto!

[DGP1111]

The Gratuity thing can be iffy, if it was an extra 2 days. . . .

 

Maybe that is the one thing Carnival should cover.

 

There is, at least, one line that will cover the onboard gratuities for its passengers if their ship is not able to transport them back to the homeport on the scheduled day.

Thankfully, those situations are quite rare.

[PINEVIEW01]

Here's my list of what I would and wouldn't expect:

 

Being told where to turn for announcement (TVs/Capers/Purser's Desk, PA system, etc.): YES, Yes

Ongoing course updates available from the TVs: YES, Yes

Being told when to expect the next announced update: YES Might not be doable

Buffet, room service and dining room service as usual: YES, Maybe-depending on the length of time. Having done the Galley tours I know they are prepaired for this. But, when we went out on one that left a day late, they hadn't been able to get their supplies and didn't have a lot of stuff.

Availability of Laundry, Casino, Shops as usual: YES Yes

Scheduling of daytime onboard activities for any additional days at sea: PROBABLY This would depend on the weather on the deck.

Scheduling of additional production shows, comedians for additional days as sea: PROBABLY This would be hard to do. The productions show are set and run for years and they may not have a entertaniers avalible.

Reimbursement for any cancelled CCL excursions: YES YES

Reimbursement for any non-CCL activities planned in port: NO NO

Having the $10 pp/pd gratuity waived for the additional days at sea: NO, I would think Carnival would pick the tab up for this one.

Spontaneous updates from the Captain as s/he goes about his/her job: NO NO

Spontaneous updates from the CD as s/he goes about his/her job: NO NO

Special discounts in the shipboard stores: NO NO

Free cocktail hour: NO That would be nice but, NO

X minutes worth of free phone calls to re-schedule flights: NO Yes

X minutes worth of free email: NO Yes

Discount off my current cruise: NO Sometimes they do, but I wouldn't excpect it.

Discount off a future cruise: NO Sometimes they do, but I wouldn't excpect it.

 

 

I'm probably easier than most people, but all I really expect is sea days as usual, and to be told what's happening. Oh and maybe the willingness of the Captain to throw disruptive mutineers into the brig. Or the ocean.

:D He he

 

Only the 'YESes' would upset me if they weren't fulfilled; and the MAYBEs might irritate me a little. Tips for the additional days I can't imagine not volunteering, even if they weren't automatically applied. Everything else falls into "would be nice, I guess, but I wouldn't expect it or be upset with the cruiseline if they didn't."

 

What would YOU expect? (in other words, anything you'd be upset at not getting). Add any categories I might have forgotten.

My take in Red

[onejeepster]

"If my cruise was diverted I would like a one one with the captain to explain why this is happening.

 

A full refund on my current cruise and my next cruise should be comp..with an upgrade.

 

Free airline tickets to haul my poor ass home."

 

 

To be perfectly clear as long as I am safe while cruising during Hurricane season I know that I can enjoy the cruise. I don't expect too much as all I want is to get on the ship..have great food and entertainment..see some ports of calls...get off the ship safely.

 

I think some people are so use to complaining about anything and then when they think they have an opportunity they want everything given to them. I think Carnival should start to ban them and put their names on a winer list.

 

Only 69 days until my next Carnival cruise on the Pride and I can't wait.

 

Dave

[Leo Jay]

Totally agree except:

 

Being told when to expect the next announced update: YES

 

Maybe - it is difficult to schedule updates if a situation is fluid.

 

Scheduling of additional production shows, comedians for additional days as sea: PROBABLY

 

Off ship acts (comedians) are difficult to reschedule because they often fly from port to port jumping from one ship to another.

 

Yeah, that all makes sense to me.

 

I guess as far as announcements, I'd be fine hearing an announcement that said "still working on it, we'll let you know". Just knowing that I wasn't being kept in the dark and hadn't missed something would be good.

 

And as far a entertainment, I said probably only because I guess I'd expect some effort if the entertainers were around and available anyway. Of course, if the cruiseline is bound by a contract that says the entertainers aren't allowed to do more than X shows per cruise (just making this up), or if there's some other good reason, fair enough.

:)

[Leo Jay]

The Gratuity thing can be iffy, if it was an extra 2 days for me and my fiance that would not be a problem.

 

What about a Large family who might not have the ability to pay and extra $100+ dollars. I read a lot on here where people are saving up to cruise and have pretty strict budgets.

 

Maybe that is the one thing Carnival should cover.

 

Yeah, but since the gratuities are flexible anyway, if someone really, really, really honestly had a financial hardship and felt they couldn't at least put it on their credit card and pay the couple extra days worth of gratutities over time... they always have an out.

[big_duck]

Yeah, that all makes sense to me.

 

I guess as far as announcements, I'd be fine hearing an announcement that said "still working on it, we'll let you know". Just knowing that I wasn't being kept in the dark and hadn't missed something would be good.

 

And as far a entertainment, I said probably only because I guess I'd expect some effort if the entertainers were around and available anyway. Of course, if the cruiseline is bound by a contract that says the entertainers aren't allowed to do more than X shows per cruise (just making this up), or if there's some other good reason, fair enough.

:)

 

On JH's blog he reported an incident on the Splendor where one of the entertainers couldn't show up (flight scheduling screw up). The entertainment staff was called back to the ship from their day off in port and they set up the show room for a production show.

[picklebongo]

If ones ship is diverted of course safety is a number one concern, but it isn't the sole thing I would expect of Carnival. Why should the dining experience suffer as a result of that. Just BEING on a ship away from work is not enough for most folks. I would expect the entertainment to continue unless there was some type of weather preventing performances and then there should be a contingency plan. In addition announcements are a MUST to quell rumors, discontent and so forth. I think most reasonable people can go with the flow as long as they know what's going on. I know when I'm flying and there is trubulence, just having the pilot come on and tell what's going on is very reassuring. I wouldn't expect anything free or any type of credit, but if the ship would be arriving back into port significantly later than planned, Carnival should provide some mechanism for passengers to contact family, airlines, hotels to make alternate arrangements. All of these things seem reasonable to me and overly demanding.

[Muumuu]

I think the only thing that would really upset me would be returning to a different port. I would understand, and not bitch, but nontheless, I would be upset.

[klfrodo]

I don't understand the the free phone calls or free e-mail time.

 

I was stranded in Jamaica once due to a hurricane blowing thru Miami. The resort I was staying at didn't offer free minutes. Why should a ship.

I probably spent a hundred bucks in phone charges and internet time rearranging my schedule. Also had to pay for extra nights at the resort plus food.

 

Why does anyone expect a cruise ship to be different than an island resort vacation?

 

You're big boys and girls. Take care of yourselves.

[Megnolia]

The gratuities are not a big deal - take them off if you can't afford the extra two days. I would personally pay higher gratuities if I were onboard an extra few days. They are feeding me, and taking care of me, and the staff are all dealing with a lot of irate passengers thanks to something beyond their control. I think they deserve it!

[LHP]

That is a pretty good list.

 

I can see where newbies would need more hand holding that those of us who "live" on a cruise ship.

 

One thing I think needs to be improved is before the people even get on the ship. TAs and PVPs need to really stress what can happen when they are dealing with newbies cruising during hurricane season.

 

A lot of these new people are going in blind and then "shocked" when something changes.

 

And the other thing that needs to be improved is on the Customer Side. It is called Personal Responsibility. If someone are going to cruise during hurricane season....they need to realize that THEY made the choice to do this.

 

AND it is THEIR responsibility to buy travel insurance, if they can't afford to eat any expenses that may occur.

 

If parents have children at home and being delayed is going to cause big problems....then don't cruise during hurricane season...duh!!!

 

I just think that the Cruise Lines are not the only ones with a responsibility to do their part!!!

[finoky]

The only thing I expect and would want is prompt informative communication from Carnival as to any and all changes to the itinerary.

[Sol y Mar]

A few years ago (our third cruise) was on RCCL. We were out during hurricane Ivan (I think it was) and our port stop in Progresso was changed to an extra day at sea. They offered NO onboard credit and we didn't think anything about this until we saw later that CCL gives $25 obc if they miss a port. So, that's another reason we prefer CCL. My 2 cents.....I cruise during hurricane season, I expect to have a good time on the ship. The ports are a nice addition, kind of like the icing on the cake - believe me, I can eat plenty of cake without icing! :cool:

 

 

Sol y Mar